IT is most welcome news that York Art Gallery is to reopen in August after a long closure, but most regrettable news that it will see the introduction of entrance charges.

As one whose pre-war education owed much to free entry to London’s museums and art galleries, it has always been my most fervent view that such institutions form an essential part of our educational system and must be fully available to everyone.

From the age of ten my friend and I travelled at least every month to the National History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and, a little later, to the National Art Gallery and the Tate Gallery.

The places were always full of young visitors. Had there been admission charges our parents could not have been able to afford it. I owe my lifelong interest in the arts to those early years.

Various post-war attempts to introduce admission charges have seen a gradual change in museums and galleries becoming less accessible to the poorer members of our society and especially so for their children.

When the gallery was transferred to the York Museums Trust, we were told that this would enable it to obtain grants not available to the council. This has proved so for the costs of refurbishment.

Your article of April 15 states that the Arts Council grants £1.23 million a year to the trust for projects that will increase use of the trust’s galleries and museums by those who do not at present use them.

Surely free projects can be arranged on a continuous basis to encourage such users. Where there is a will there is usually a way.

I hesitate to say that most people who are responsible for the country’s cultural activities do not understand the problems facing the poorer members of society, but I fear it is so. £7.50 is a lot of money for many to find to induce them to sample unfamiliar experiences.

Leonard Robinson, Fairway Drive, Upper Poppleton, York.